Real wedding: Sunshine day

Chloe and Chris chose Sunbeam Studios for their celebration, dressing its light-filled spaces with white and green for a simple and romantic party among family and friends

Photographs: Roger Harris Photography

When Chloe and Chris began searching for the perfect spot for their wedding, they had already decided they wanted a church ceremony and a party in London, where they live. Chloe says: “We couldn’t imagine celebrating anywhere else, but we wanted our day to feel very personal”.

They knew they had found the place when they visited Sunbeam Studios. The Art Deco party and event space in Ladbroke Grove – originally a car showroom – offers a blank canvas they could dress to match their style. “The other thing we loved was that the white walls enabled us to project images throughout the celebration,” says Chloe. “This was very important to us and was an opportunity to show family photos – including photos of our parents’ wedding days”.

Their theme fell into place very easily, says Chloe. “‘The vision for how it looked was very much mine and Chris’s, we loved the brightness and openness of Sunbeam.” They designed a rustic, almost Mediterranean look for their chosen spaces (Talbot Hall for canapés and cake cutting, with Main Hall for wedding breakfast and dancing) with long tables ranged round the room during the feast.

“We loved the brightness and openness of Sunbeam Studios and the vision for how the wedding looked was very much ours”

Chloe says: “For the tables I loved the idea of keeping them long and wooden with matching chairs. We used this furniture for the sweet stand as well which looked great. For the flowers we chose green and white to match everything else. The eucalyptus running along the tables was something I had always wanted – I love euc – and I thought it looked great against the rustic tables.”

Chloe’s sister Mimsi Kitchener runs boutique children’s entertainment and party planning company Blondie & The Bears so she stepped in to dress the space, decking it with fabulous pure white balloons to add to the party atmosphere. The same green and white theme was used throughout the wedding stationery, including table plans and menus. The couple added a personal finishing touch. “Chris loves making jams and I am obsessed with Liberty print,” says Chloe. “So having mini jams in different wintery flavours with liberty print tops was really special to us as favours for our guests.”

Chloe had chosen a lovely Morilee gown, first spotted by her mother at The Tailor’s Cat in Cambridge. While Chloe initially didn’t think it was for her, once she tried it on, she was sold – loving the flattering cut and the striped organza ruffled skirt. Her bridesmaids and flowergirl also wore white with matching greenery in their hair, to stunning effect. “I know some people don’t think bridesmaids should wear white, but I love the effect and it felt simple and traditional”, says Chloe. Chris wore a smart muted green suit to match the natural theme.

“Walking into the church strewn with flower petals and then coming out to a beautiful bright blue sky was a very special moment,”

Although the wedding took place in October, it couldn’t have been a more beautiful day – bathed in rich sunlight and with an almost Mediterranean light that matched the wedding colours perfectly. “Walking into the church strewn with flower petals and then coming out to a beautiful bright blue sky was a very special moment,” says Chloe.

“Our advice to other couples would be to try to grab a few minutes – just the two of you – so you can take it all in. We had the car journey together between church and venue, and that was another special time. ”

Sunbeam Studios’ Main Hall was miraculously transformed by the in-house team from daytime feast to party space, with dancing continuing long into the evening. She and Chris wouldn’t have changed a thing. “I’d never tell anyone not to be a perfectionist. I am and if that’s your style then fair enough!” says Chloe. “But on the day don’t worry about anything – just soak up every moment you can.”